Category Archives: Interviewing

How to Prepare for an Interview

Posted on by
How to prepare for an interview

Image extracted from: Construction Lien Blog

You have worked on having a focused resume and a great cover letter; you’ve networked on LinkedIn and at events; you’ve applied for several positions, made connections, and you got yourself an interview! And now what? Knowing how to prepare for an interview can put you ahead of the competition.

Understand the Position Description

For seasoned professionals and recent grads:

  • Carefully analyze the position description to determine what are the key factors that will make a candidate a perfect match for the particular position based on job responsibilities and requirements.
  • Ask yourself if you have the exact experience required to perform all the responsibilities of that position. If not, prepare to make your case and demonstrate that you can be effective at the position. Show how your previous experiences will help you accomplish great results.
  • Be prepared to answer how you could bring something extra to the department/organization that is unique.

For internship seekers:

  • Try to match your your strengths and personal characteristics to position requirements, drawing a clear line between your capabilities and the scope of the work.
  • Is this your first internship? Try to think of ways your academic experience has thought you something or given you the opportunity to develop a skill: Teamwork skills? Communication skills? Ability to negotiate deadlines with a professor? Prepare to give examples.

Make a great first impression

  • Show up on time! It seems pretty basic, but so many people are late for interviews. It gives employers the impression that either you don’t care enough about getting the position or that you are not a responsible professional. To avoid last minute issues, make a trip to the company prior to the interview date and plan on arriving 20 minutes early.
  • Dress appropriately – if you are in doubt you can almost always choose the most conservative and formal option.  Unless you are in an informal field and having learned about the organizational culture, you found that everyone wears flip-flops and shorts to work.  In that case, skip the suit and tie, but make sure to look well dressed.
  • Smile and be pleasant.  A positive attitude can be contagious and will certainly give everyone one around you the impression that you may be someone great to work with.
  • Bring samples of your work and extra resumes, just in case.

Learn About the Organization

How long have they been in business?  What’s their mission?  What are similarities between you and the company culture?  Is there something that makes you a perfect match for the job or internship?  Knowing details about the company you are trying to get into, will not only help you answer questions but, also show your interest in being part of the company, not only in getting a job.

Practice

In front of a mirror, with your roommate, or in the shower.  Create a list of common interview questions and practice answering them out loud.

The better prepared you are, the easier it is to stay calm during an interview. If you know how to prepare for an interview, your chances of success are much higher. Good luck!

Watch this video to learn more about how to prepare for an interview.

Overcoming Objections During an Interview

Posted on by

Image extracted from: workfromhomewithnetworkmarketing.com

Interviews are similar to sales presentations.  When someone is selling a product or service they make sure they gather all of the crucial information they need to back up the benefits of what they are selling and then try to close the sale.

Overcoming objections is critical in the sales process and it’s just as critical for a job seeker to use it as an interview technique in order to answer any objections a hiring manager or recruiter may have.  Sometimes the best selling points a job seeker can make are based on overcoming objections by the decision maker, especially if the job seeker is thoroughly prepared.

During the interview, job seekers need to market themselves on what they can do now, not what they did in the past.  When mentioning past positions, tell how that experience led up to your current expertise and accomplishments.

So it’s that time in the interview when things end and job seekers have no idea what the hiring manager is thinking.  Think about how many times we walk out of an interview and wish we had the opportunity to cover any objections they have about hiring us.  It’s frustrating and many job seekers lose out on opportunities because they didn’t get a chance of overcoming objections by the recruiter.

I sat in on a call for job seekers and one topic was closing on an interview. The guidance and suggestion offered was that at the end of the interview, ask: “Based on today’s interview, what would be your concerns about hiring me?” This question will give you a chance to understand the recruiter’s perspective and overcoming objections he may have.

I think that’s a fantastic question because IF they are honest with you, a job seeker now has the opportunity to cover those objections right in their office.  I was curious how others felt about asking that question in an interview so I posted the question to Tory Johnson’s facebook wall and her response was “yes, love it — and recommend it…” Tory Johnson is the CEO of Women For Hire, founder of Spark & Hustle, workplace contributor on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” a New York Times bestselling author and host of “Job Club” on ABC News Now.

Learn to become a closer on your interviews by overcoming objections and prevent your competition from getting the offer you deserve!

Seeking Pittsburgh Internships?…Show up to your interview.

Posted on by

Thousands of students are looking for Pittsburgh internships, or internship opportunities in the region.

Image Extracted from: rosalindacastillo.blogspot.com

That means we have to do everything in our control to ensure a positive reputation in the community.

Remember that phrase, “Showing up is half the battle”? It’s true.

I’ve heard from several employers offering internship opportunities that candidates are not coming to the internship interview.

I wanted to write a quick blog post to remind everyone looking for internship opportunities a few things:

The Regional Internship Center is here to provide you with resources to make you stand out in a sea of people seeking Pittsburgh internships.

We offer national research, resources on the law, and we tell you what our employers tell us–the good, the bad, and the ugly.
So, when I heard from one of our favorite employers that a candidate with an impressive resume didn’t show up for the interview, I had to tell everyone here: this is a bad step in the wrong direction.

If for some reason you cannot make your internship interview,

1) call the employer;

Image extracted from: news.getaroom.com

2) then email the employer especially if you left a voicemail message. This is also an opportunity to explain further why you have to miss the interview, not go altogether, OR, explain further why you are so excited about this opportunity and that you look forward to rescheduling. If you want to really stand out;

Image extracted from: www.webtopia.co.za

3) send a handwritten note after you’ve done these first two steps of due diligence.

Image extracted from: worketiquette.co.uk

In MOST instances, the employer will understand. We’ve seen it all and heard it all (for the most part). Employers will also think highly of you for being so responsible. MOREOVER, you haven’t burned any bridges, which, in a city of bridges, this is not a good strategy for you.

The Regional Internship Center will thank you, your parents and professors will thank you and YES, your reputation will thank you.

Recruiter Interviews

Posted on by

Internship and job seekers: Have you ever wanted to get into the mind of a recruiter? Take a moment and check out these recruiter interviews.

Corporate Recruiter

Editor’s Note: This interview was not done by The Regional Internship Center. This website, www.SixFigureStart.com, is a career coaching and consulting firm, comprised of former Fortune 500 recruiters.

Informational Interview

Posted on by

Have you ever asked a professional for an informational interview? If not, it is something you should strongly consider.

Pittsburgh internships

Whether you are comforatable in your current career, looking for an internship in Pittsburgh or job, or considering a career change, asking a professional for an informational interview is a great way to network and learn more about a different organization or industry.

An informational interview is when a person asks a professional for an “interview” in order to gain insight into that career field or even into that organization. These can take place over the phone, in the professional’s office, over coffee or even lunch.

Many students I’ve spoken with want to do an informational interview, but really don’t know how to go about asking for one with someone.

Be intentional.

Only ask someone for an informational interview if you are truly interested in hearing what they have to say.

Introduce yourself.

Start off with an email introducing yourself. After initial contact is made, let the person know that you are interested in his/her career field and would like to gain more insight. Ask this person if he or she would be interested in chatting over coffee or on the phone.

Don’t take advantage of their time.

Try not to extend your conversation past 30 minutes. If it seems that the conversation is flowing really well, do a time check and make sure that you are not over extending the interview.

Come prepared with questions!

Make sure you have at least 5-7 questions ready to go beforehand. Also, be sure to take notes.

Don’t try to make a sales pitch for yourself.

You are there to learn from this person, not to land a job or internship- at least not immediately. If the conversation goes there, fine, but don’t try to force it. Yes, this interview can help connect you to a person who could either offer you a job or connect you with someone else, but this is not the time to try to get a job with this company.

Bring a resume…

Only hand it over if it is asked for, or if the person wants to give you resume tips.

Follow up!

Send a handwritten thank you note! This person took time out of their busy shcedule to talk with you, take the time to thank them!